J. Cole Honors Michael Brown With Somber Song ‘Be Free’

In response to the police shooting of an unarmed 18-year-old teenager, Michael Brown, in Ferguson, Mo., rapper J. Cole releases a somber song expressing his thoughts and feelings about the case.

‘Be Free’ is a poignant tune dedicated to Brown and the people of Ferguson who are protesting for justice in their community.

The artwork is especially chilling as it shows the young man lying dead in the street in his own pool of blood. As a request by Brown’s family we will not share the graphic photo of the tragic incident.

However, we will share Cole’s plea for freedom and justice. The Roc Nation rhymer writes, “Rest in peace to Michael Brown and to every young black man murdered in America, whether by the hands of white or black. I pray that one day the world will be filled with peace and rid of injustice. Only then will we all Be Free.”

On the song, Cole warbles, “Can you tell me why / Every time I step outside I see my n—-s die / I’m letting you know, they ain’t no gun that can kill my soul,” over a minimalist piano groove. Then on the chorus, he adds, “All we wanna do is take the chains off / All we wanna do is be free.”

J. Cole also expressed his feelings on the shooting of Michael Brown through his DreamVillain blog. Read his entire letter below:

There was a time in my life when I gave a f—. Every chance I got I was screaming about it. I was younger. It’s so easy to try to save the world when you’re in college. You got nothing but time and no responsibility. But soon life hits you. No more dorms, no more meal plan, no more refund check. N—- need a job. N—- got rent. Got car note. Cable bill. Girlfriend moves in and becomes wife. Baby on the way. Career advances. Instagram is poppin. Lebron leaves Miami. LIFE HITS. We become distracted. We become numb. I became numb. But not anymore. That coulda been me, easily. It could have been my best friend. I’m tired of being desensitized to the murder of black men. I don’t give a f— if it’s by police or peers. This s— is not normal.

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